State passes measure for safer surgery

August 14, 2008 8:30:24 AM PDT

SACRAMENTO --

Elective surgery may be getting a little bit safer since the State Senate approved a requirement that patients undergo a physical exam before procedures.The measure comes in response to the death of rapper Kayne West's mother Donda West, who died last year of complications related to cosmetic surgery.

Her family believes a physical exam would have uncovered coronary artery disease.